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Permit Appointments

Beginning the week of Monday, Jan. 22, consultation with staff will be by appointment only except on “Walk-in Wednesdays.” To schedule an appointment on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, customers should call (704) 638-5208 or make an online appointment.

For more information, contact the land and development services department at (704) 638-5208 or email 1stop@salisburync.gov.

Request an Appointment

Special Event Permits

The Salisbury Fire Department is tasked with the review and approval of permits that are asking to close certain public-owned property for public events.

Below is the online application for a Special Event Permit and the relevant City of Salisbury Municipal Code Ordinance:

Special Event Permit Application Municipal Code Ch. 22 - Article VI - Special Events and Festivals

Planning Permits

Apply for a permit, plan or license online with Energov Citizen Self-Service Portal

The Land and Development Services Department coordinates the review, approval, and permit issuance of all development-related permitting for properties within the City of Salisbury and extraterritorial jurisdiction. Almost all development activity must receive a city Zoning Permit before obtaining a Building Permit from the county. The Rowan County Building Inspections department coordinates NC State Building Code permits, which may include plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and structural review. They can be reached by calling (704) 216-8619 or by emailing BuildingInspections@rowancountync.gov

This page details the type of permits that are coordinated by the Land and Development Services department, provides an electronic version of the application, as well as the applicable fee schedule for processing.

If you need information about zoning, utility, signs, and other permits, please call Land and Development Services at (704) 638-5208 or email 1stop@salisburync.gov


Pre-Application Process

There is a structured timeline for all pre-application meetings. Please reference the procedures outlined below as well as the provisions provided in the Land Development Ordinance.

Pre-Application Process

Print Version (PDF)

STEP 1: Contact the City of Salisbury One Stop Development Shop at (704) 638-5208 to speak to a zoning specialist to verify the zoning of the proposal is consistent with the permitted uses outlined in the Land Development Ordinance (LDO).

STEP 2: Visit the City of Salisbury website to review the LDO requirements for the design and submittal requirements as outlined in Chapter 15 at https://salisburync.gov/Government/Land-and-Development/Land-Development-Ordinance.

STEP 3: Submit the conceptual / preliminary design to 1Stop@salisburync.gov to request a pre-application meeting by the 1st business day of the month to request a pre-application review on the 2nd Thursday of the month. During this meeting, you will be advised of the review type your proposal will need to follow such as Minor or Major Subdivision, Minor or Major Site Plan, Conditional District Rezoning, General Rezoning, or other as specified as well as design criteria that needs to be met.

STEP 4: Upon addressing all preliminary comments, submit the proposed plan review and application type to 1Stop@salisburync.gov by the 1st business day of the month of the following month in order to proceed to the 3rd Thursday of the month for review by the Technical Review Committee (TRC). The remaining legislative process for Planning Board and City Council will be noticed upon scheduling.

To request a pre-application meeting, contact Development Services at (704) 638-5208 or email 1Stop@salisburync.gov. Proposed plans must be submitted by the deadline to be considered for the next available meeting date and may be subject to delay due to high case load.

Pre-Application Meeting Schedule

Print Version (PDF)

Pre-application meetings are required per the Land Development Ordinance Chapter 15 prior to formal development submittal and prior to moving forward in the legislative review process. Upon meeting the submittal deadline, the preapplication meetings will be held on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 9:00 a.m. The following schedule shows the deadline dates for submittals and meeting schedule for 2024.

Deadline Date Meeting Date
January 2 January 11
February 1 February 8
March 1 March 14
April 1 April 11
May 1 May 9
June 3 June 13
July 1 July 11
August 1 August 8
September 3 September 12
October 1 October 10
November 1 November 14
December 2 December 12

Technical Review Committee Schedule

Print Version (PDF)

The Technical Review Committee for the City of Salisbury will hold regular meetings on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 9:00 a.m. Call (704) 638-5208 or email 1stop@salisburync.gov for more information. The following schedule shows the deadline dates for submittals and the meeting dates for 2024.

Deadline Date Meeting Date
January 2 January 18
February 1 February 15
March 1 March 21
April 3 April 18
May 1 May 16
June 3 June 20
July 1 July 18
August 1 August 15
September 3 September 19
October 2 October 17
November 1 November 21
December 2 December 19

Development Activity not Requiring Board or Commission Consideration:

Some development activity may be processed and approved at a staff level. These activities require submittal of the application and set of development plans. Fees for these permits are paid at the time of permit issuance:

Zoning Permit

This is the go-to permit for almost all development activity. This permit is required for issuance of Rowan County Building Permits. Although other development processes may be required prior to permit issuance, the Zoning Permit is required for the following types of development activity. Projects defined as *Minor Site Plan or **Major Site Plan, which requires formal site plan review, must also include the Site Plan Supplement Form:

Service Cost
New House $50
New Multi-Family Residential $150
New Non-Residential $300
Residential Addition / Accessory / Upfit $25
Non-Residential Addition / Accessory / Upfit $100
Temporary Use Permit $100
Temporary Construction Trailer $25
Minor Site Plan Review $150
Major Site Plan Review $500
Application (PDF) Erosion Control (PDF) Site Plan Supplemental Form (PDF) * Minor Site Plan is defined as Multi-Family < 8 units, Non-Residential development < 10,000-sf, or any Industrial development ** Major Site Plan is defined as Multi-Family 8+ units, Non-Residential development >9,999-sf

Erosion and Sediment Control Agreement

Single-family residential development/single-family residential lot, erosion and sediment control installation and maintenance agreement for any land disturbing activity less than one acre.

Agreement (PDF)

Zoning Permit for Signs

Almost all signs erected in the City of Salisbury zoning jurisdiction require a Zoning Permit for Signs. Examples of exempt signs that do not require a permit include, but may not be limited to, government signage, flags, wall murals, and building accents.

Service Cost
Special Event or Temporary Signs $25
Changes to Existing Signage $50
New Signs / Sign Packages $100
Application (PDF)

Certificate of Registration

The Certificate of Registration permit is the replacement program for the Business (Privilege) License tax that was repealed by the state in 2015. Except for a Home Occupation Permit, the city business registration program is free and is used to determine proper zoning as well as update the Fire Marshal for annual inspection purposes.

Service Cost
Home Occupation $50
Application (PDF)

Certificate of Appropriateness

A Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) is required for all site and/or exterior building activity occurring in a Local Historic District. There are five (5) Local Historic Districts in the City of Salisbury: 1) Brooklyn-South Square, 2) Downtown, 3) Ellis Street Graded School District, 4) North Main Street, 5) West Square. Some of the development activity requires consideration by the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC). Please email or call the staff liaison to the HPC for details.

Service Cost
Minor Work COA No Fee
Major Work COA $25
After-the-Fact COA $250
Application (PDF) Agent Form - HPC Consideration (PDF)

Demolition Permit

Demolition of any structure within the City of Salisbury corporate limits requires issuance of a Demolition Permit. Demolition Permits are processed by the Code Services division and may require a public hearing. If a demolition is proposed in a Local Historic District, it must receive Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) approval prior to the issuance of any permits. If located in a National Register District, the HPC must be provided a minimum 90-day notice; however, the commission may reduce, or remove, the 90-day notice if found that the property has no historic value or significance.

Service Cost
Demolition Permit $50
Demolition COA by the HPC No Fee
Application (PDF)

Sidewalk Dining Permit and Application

Dining of any kind on the sidewalk near an establishment within the City of Salisbury corporate limits requires issuance of a Sidewalk Dining Permit. Sidewalk Dining Permits are processed by the Code Services division and may require a public hearing.

Application (PDF)

Subdivision Review Application

For all combination, recombination or subdivision of land please complete the subdivision review application.

Service Cost
Special Exception $200
Minor Subdivision $30/lot
Major Subdivision $200+$10/lot
Water/Sewer Line Extension Fees Cost
Public Water $200
Public Sewer $200
Private Water $200
Private Sewer $200
Inspection Fees $1/LF inspection fees for permitted water/sewer extension and fire line inspections. Must be paid in full prior to or at the pre-construction meeting.
Application (PDF)

Utility Review Only

Some development activity is outside of the city’s zoning and subdivision jurisdiction, but remains under utility review because the City of Salisbury is the owner and administrator of the entire Salisbury-Rowan Water & Sewer Utility System. Projects outside of the City of Salisbury or its’ extraterritorial jurisdiction requiring an extension of, or taps to, the water or sewer system must submit the following application:

Service Cost
Public/Private Water (Fire or Domestic) Extension $200 per extension type
Public/Private Sewer Extension $200 per extension type
Application (PDF)

Development Activity Requiring Board or Commission Consideration:

The following activities require a public hearing and approval by a higher authority prior to the issuance of any development permits. Fees for these activities are paid at the time of application submittal:

Alternate Methods of Compliance

Some development projects and certain sign types propose unique design considerations that the Land Development Ordinance (LDO) does not address. In this case, a special Council-appointed commission entitled the Alternate Methods of Design Commission (AMDC) considers whether the proposed alternate method of compliance can be approved. The AMDC meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month at 4:30 p.m. Applications must be submitted at least 15 days in advance of the next available meeting.

Service Cost
Alternate Methods of Compliance Review $50
Special Sign Permit $50
Application (PDF)

Variance or Appeal

A request for a variance to any specific provision of the Salisbury Land Development Ordinance or for an appeal of an administrative decision requires consideration by the Board of Adjustment. The Board of Adjustment meets on the 4th Tuesdays of the month. It is strongly recommended that you meet with planning staff to discuss your request prior to submitting an application.

Service Cost
Administrative Appeal $350
Variance $350
Application (PDF)

Rezoning Petition

A petition to rezone property in the City of Salisbury zoning jurisdiction requires a recommendation by the Planning Board and approval by City Council. If a specific development proposal is associated with a rezoning, it is considered a Conditional District rezoning. The Planning Board meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month while the City Council meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month. A courtesy hearing may be held at the Planning Board while a public hearing must be held at City Council. It is strongly recommended that you meet with planning staff to discuss your petition prior to submitting an application.

Service Cost
General Rezoning $800
Conditional District Rezoning (new) $1,200
Conditional District Rezoning (change) $900
Conditional District Minor Revision $50
Rezoning Application (PDF) Conditional District Supplement Form (PDF)

Special Use Permit

A Special Use Permit (SUP) is required for certain land uses in the City of Salisbury zoning jurisdiction and requires consideration by the City Council. The City Council meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month. It is strongly recommended that you meet with planning staff to discuss your request prior to submitting an application.

Service Cost
Special Use Permit $500
Application (PDF)

Taxi Permits

The Salisbury Police Department is tasked with the review and approval of permits for taxi operators and taxi franchises operating with the City of Salisbury limits. Taxi operators must renew their permit every year.

 TitleDescription
Taxicab Franchise ApplicationThe following are required in order to complete a franchise application: 1. Completed Taxi Cab Franchise Application Part A. 2. Completed Taxi Cab Franchise Application Part B. 3. A Notarized Authorization to Release Information Affidavit.
Taxicab Franchise Information ReleaseA notarized release information affidavit is required as part of the franchise application process.
Taxicab Franchise NotarizationA notarized authorization of the release information affidavit is required as part of the franchise application process.
Taxicab Operator ApplicationThe following are required in order to complete an operator application: 1. Completed Taxi Cab Operators Application. 2. The results of a physical examination by a licensed physician. 3. A letter from the Taxi Cab Service for which you will be operating
Taxicab Operator RenewalTaxicab Operators must renew their permit with the City of Salisbury every year.

Zoning Map

An interactive map for the city of Salisbury, NC zoning.

Search for zoning and parcel information.

Zoning map screenshot

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